U.S. patent number 7,314,155 [Application Number 11/207,426] was granted by the patent office on 2008-01-01 for modular magazine for fastener-driving tool.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Illinois Tool Works Inc.. Invention is credited to Larry M. Moeller, Walter J. Taylor.
United States Patent |
7,314,155 |
Moeller , et al. |
January 1, 2008 |
Modular magazine for fastener-driving tool
Abstract
A modular magazine assembly in a fastener-driving tool having a
nosepiece includes a first magazine housing portion secured to the
tool and at least partially defining a chamber for fasteners. An
extension portion is configured for releasable attachment to the
first magazine housing portion. Upon assembly of the extension
portion, a resulting large capacity magazine is defined and
dimensioned to accommodate at least two fastener strips.
Inventors: |
Moeller; Larry M. (Schaumburg,
IL), Taylor; Walter J. (McHenry, IL) |
Assignee: |
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
(Glenview, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
35457356 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/207,426 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20060091179 A1 |
May 4, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
227/127; 227/109;
227/120; 227/125; 227/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25C
1/005 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B25C
7/00 (20060101); B25C 1/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;227/120,109,128,136,8,135,125,127 ;81/434,435 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Rada; Rinaldi I.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Greer, Burns & Crain, Ltd.
Soltis; Lisa M. Croll; Mark W.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A modular magazine assembly in a fastener-driving tool having a
nosepiece, said assembly comprising: a first magazine housing
portion secured to said tool and at least partially defining a
chamber for receiving fasteners; an extension portion configured
for releasable attachment to said first magazine housing portion,
such that upon assembly of said extension portion, a resulting
large capacity magazine is defined and dimensioned to accommodate
at least two fastener strips in an end-to-end arrangement; a second
magazine housing portion releasably secured to said tool and, with
said first magazine housing portion, defining a magazine for at
least one fastener strip; wherein said extension portion is
securable to said first magazine housing portion upon removal of
said second housing portion; and said first magazine housing
portion defines a first portion of a fastener track, and at least
one of said second magazine housing portion and said extension
portion defines a second portion of said fastener track.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said second magazine housing
portion is an endcap.
3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first magazine housing
portion includes a return spring and a follower with a capacity of
at least one fastener strip.
4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said return spring has a
capacity of at least two fastener strips.
5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first magazine housing
portion defines a chamber with the capacity for a single strip of
fasteners, and said extension portion defines an extension chamber
with the capacity for a second strip of fasteners.
6. The assembly of claim 1 including a locking formation on at
least one of said second magazine housing portion and said
extension portion for lockingly engaging a latch on said tool.
7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said locking formation includes
an aperture configured for engagement by a biased latch button.
8. A modular magazine assembly for a fastener driving tool,
comprising: a first magazine housing portion having a nosepiece
end, an opposite fastener loading end and at least partially
defining a chamber having a track configured for receiving
fasteners in a first orientation; a follower slidably engaged in
said first magazine housing portion for urging fasteners in the
first orientation toward said nosepiece end; a follower spring
associated with said first magazine housing portion and connected
to said follower to bias said follower toward said nosepiece end,
said follower spring configured for urging multiple strips of
fasteners; and an extension portion engageable with said fastener
loading end without the use of tools and configured for receiving
said follower so that multiple strips of fasteners are urged by
said follower spring in the first orientation toward said nosepiece
end, wherein said first magazine housing portion and said extension
portion urge said fasteners in the same direction.
9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said first magazine housing
portion defines a first portion of a fastener track, and said
extension portion defines a second portion of a fastener track,
said first and second fastener track portions being in registry
with each other.
10. The assembly of claim 9 further including a follower channel
defined in said first magazine housing portion, and an extension
follower channel defined in said extension portion, said follower
channels being in registry with each other.
11. The assembly of claim 8 further including a second magazine
housing portion removably attachable to said fastener loading end
of said first magazine housing portion.
Description
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to fastener-driving tools
used to drive fasteners into workpieces, such tools typically being
powered by combustion, pneumatics, electricity, powder activated or
by other sources.
Fastener-driving tools typically include a housing enclosing a
power source which drives the fasteners, a handle or grip and a
magazine to hold and advance fasteners for driving into the
workpiece by the power source. Fasteners for such tools are
typically provided in linear strips in which adjacent fasteners are
held together with adhesive, welded wire, plastic or paper webbing,
collation strips or the like. In the magazine, a follower biased by
a return spring urges the fasteners from a rear end of the
magazine, typically where the fasteners are loaded into the
magazine, to the front end of the magazine which is adjacent a
nosepiece/shear block. In the nosepiece/shear block, the fasteners
are impacted by a reciprocating drive blade and driven into the
workpiece.
Conventional tools typically are provided with magazines capable of
holding either single or double fastener strips. Pneumatic framing
tools are manufactured almost exclusively with two strip capacity
magazines, since these tools are used in production applications
where large volumes of fasteners are driven. The larger capacity
magazine reduces the reloading interruption period by 50%.
In contrast, cordless portable fastener driving tools, especially
of the framing type, are typically provided only with single
fastener strip capacity magazines. The lower capacity of the
magazine is designed to improve portability, tool balance and user
ergonomics. In addition, cordless tools are intended to be usable
in tight or confined areas such as roof trusses and remodeling
projects, where longer, higher capacity magazines are a
hindrance.
Despite the above-identified conventions, there is a need for users
of portable tools to have the ability to load multiple fastener
strips at a time for some applications. One proposed solution is to
provide multiple magazines, one with a single fastener strip
capacity, the other with multiple fastener strip capacity. However,
disadvantages of this arrangement include the duplication of
magazine components such as return springs, associated brackets,
and nosepiece/shear block components, depending on the type of tool
being considered, as well as the resulting additional weight, bulk
and cost. Another disadvantage of multiple magazines is the problem
of jobsite storage of the spare magazine.
Thus, there is a need for a fastener-driving tool having the
capability of employing either one or multiple fastener strips, and
in a way that addresses the problems discussed above.
BRIEF SUMMARY
The above-listed needs are met or exceeded by the present modular
magazine for a fastener-driving tool. A fastener-driving tool is
provided with a standard magazine with the capacity for a single
strip of fasteners. In one embodiment, an optional removable endcap
of the magazine is replaced with a magazine extension that is
fastened to the standard magazine. A specially designed fastener
follower is provided to the standard magazine to enable use with
either single or multiple fastener strips. As such, several
magazine components, especially those involved with engaging the
tool nosepiece, are unchanged and not duplicated. These components
include the nail strip follower, nail lockout mechanism and the
nosepiece/shear block engagement plates.
In another embodiment, the magazine is provided in at least two
main components, one of which remains fixed on the tool during
normal use. The complementary portion is provided in two sizes, a
single strip and a double strip size. Each complementary portion
has its own follower and return spring.
Using the first embodiment, the user can convert from single to
multiple strip application by removing the optional endcap, adding
the extension, pulling the follower to a load position, and loading
the multiple fastener strips. In the second embodiment, the user
removes the complementary portion to change the tool between single
and multiple fastener strip operation.
More specifically, a modular magazine assembly in a fastener tool
having a nosepiece includes a first magazine housing portion
secured to the tool and at least partially defining a chamber for
fasteners, a second magazine housing portion releasably secured to
the tool and, with the first magazine housing portion, defining a
magazine for at least one fastener strip. An extension portion is
provided and is configured for releasable attachment to the first
magazine housing portion upon removal of the second magazine
housing portion. Upon assembly of the extension portion, a
resulting large capacity magazine is defined and is dimensioned to
accommodate at least two fastener strips.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fastener-driving tool
equipped with the present modular magazine in a single strip
format;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 with
the endcap shown exploded away for installation of the
extension;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 with
the extension shown exploded away;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the release button used with the tool
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fastener-driving tool
equipped with an alternate embodiment of the present modular
magazine in single strip format;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tool of FIG. 5 with
the endcap shown exploded away for installation of the
extension;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tool of FIG. 5 with
the extension shown exploded away;
FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the release button employed in the
tool of FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inner wall of the
magazine housing portion of the tool of FIG. 5;
FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the tool of FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of another alternate
embodiment of the present tool with a single strip magazine;
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the tool of FIG. 11 with
a magazine extension;
FIG. 13 is an overhead plan view of the magazine extension of FIG.
12; and
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary section showing the magazine of FIGS. 11
and 12 shown assembled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 10, a combustion-powered
fastener-driving tool suitable for use with the present modular
magazine is generally designated 10. While illustrated as a
combustion-powered fastener-driving tool, the tool 10 is
contemplated as being any fastener-driving tool, whether combustion
powered, pneumatic, electric, powder activated or operated by other
power sources, as long as a fastener magazine 12 is employed. In
the present application, the entire tool 10 is not depicted since
such tools are well known in the art. A main housing 14 provided in
single or multiple component format as is known in the art encloses
tool components, in some cases including at least a part if not
all, of the magazine 12. Included on the housing 14 is a handle
portion 16 with a trigger 18. A front end 20 of the tool 10 has a
nosepiece or shear block 22 which receives fasteners from the
magazine 12 and, through the action of a driver blade (not shown),
drives fasteners into the workpiece.
The magazine 12 includes a follower handle 24 slidably engaged in a
slot or channel 26 and being connected to a follower 28 (shown
hidden). At least one of the follower handle 24 and the follower 28
is connected to a follower return spring 30 (shown hidden) which
urges the follower, and fasteners located in the magazine 12,
toward the nosepiece 22 as is known in the art. An important
feature of the magazine 12 is that the follower return spring 30
has a length greater than that needed for a single strip of
fasteners, and preferably has a length suitable for use with at
least two strips of fasteners.
Opposite the front end 20 of the tool 10, is a rear end 32 provided
with a removable endcap 34. Thus, the magazine 12 of FIGS. 1 and 2
is made up of a first magazine housing portion 36 secured to the
tool 10 and at least partially defining a chamber 38 (shown hidden)
for fasteners, and a second magazine housing portion 34 (in this
embodiment the endcap) releasably secured to the tool and, with the
first housing portion, defining the magazine having the capacity
for accommodating a single strip of fasteners. In this embodiment,
the endcap 34 is releasably locked to the housing 14, defines a
rear, enclosing end of both the chamber 38 and the channel 26 and
also is provided with a fastener feed entry slot 40 (best seen in
FIG. 10). The feed entry slot 40 is in communication or registry
with a bracket-like fastener track 41 (FIG. 2) having portions
located both in the first magazine housing portion 36 and the
endcap 34 to guide fasteners toward the nosepiece 22. As is well
known in the art, the fastener track 41 has an inverted "U"-shape
with spaced, opposing, inwardly extending ribs 41a (FIG. 9) for
slidably engaging fastener heads. Fastener shanks slide in the
space between the ribs.
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the endcap 34 engages the
housing 14 at upper and lower ends, being provided with a tongue 42
for locating a lower end 44 in a recess or pocket 46 (shown hidden)
in the magazine 12. At an upper end 48, the endcap 34 is provided
with a recessed rib 50 having an aperture 52. The aperture 52 is
engaged by a pin 54 on a biased latch button 56 which is urged to a
locked position by a biasing element, 58, preferably a coiled
spring, however, other known types of springs and other biasing
elements are contemplated. The button 56 has an "L"-shaped member
60, which with the pin 54 forms a general "U"-shape when viewed
from the side. A finger pad 62 is joined to the member 60 to
complete the button 56, which is preferably located within the
handle portion 16 of the housing 14, however other suitable
locations on the tool 10 are contemplated. In addition to the
button 56 and the tongue 42, the endcap 34 may be retained upon the
first magazine housing portion 36 by a snap fit arrangement defined
in part by a grooved portion 64 (FIG. 2) mating with a rib or
tongue 65 on the endcap 34 as is well known in the art.
It will be understood that, while preferred in the embodiment
depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 10, the endcap 34 is considered
optional, and in some cases the magazine 12 is constructed
primarily of the first magazine housing portion 36. In such
embodiments, the first magazine housing is provided with its own
feed entry slot (not shown) which is in communication with the
fastener track 41. Thus, a fastener strip is inserted directly into
the fastener track 41 at the rear end 32 of the tool 10.
Referring now to FIG. 3, in instances when tool capacity of two or
more fastener strips are desired, an extension portion, generally
designated 66 and also referred to as an extension, is provided
which is configured for releasable attachment to the first magazine
housing portion 36 upon removal of the optional endcap 34. The
extension portion 66 is generally at least as long, as and
preferably longer in length than the endcap 34 to define an
extension chamber 68 for accommodating the second or multiple
strips of fasteners, and also includes a slot segment 70 in
registry with the slot 26. Upon assembly of the extension portion
66 to the first magazine housing portion 36, a recessed rib 72 and
aperture 74, similar in construction to the components 50, 52, and
a tongue 76 similar in construction to the tongue 42 are used to
secure the extension in place, in a similar fashion to the endcap
34.
With the extension portion 66 in place, a resulting large capacity
magazine is defined and dimensioned to accommodate at least two
fastener strips. Since the follower return spring 30 (FIG. 1) is
extra long, the same follower 28 and follower handle 24 are used
when multiple fastener strips are inserted into the extended, large
capacity magazine. The follower handle 24 is shown in its fully
extended position in phantom on the extension portion 66 in FIG. 3.
The extension portion 66 is also provided with a fastener track
extension 78 in registry with the fastener track 41 on the tool 10
for promoting uninterrupted sliding of fasteners toward the
nosepiece 22. Whether the endcap 34 or the extension 66 is
installed, the tool 10 is preferably provided with an elongate,
generally "U"-shaped clip 79 for securing together lower edges of
the magazine 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, an alternate embodiment to the magazine
12 is generally designated 80. Shared components are designated
with the identical reference numbers. The operation of the two
embodiments 10, 80 is essentially the same, with an endcap 82 used
for single strip fastener accommodation. As is the case with the
endcap 34, the endcap 82 is optional. When the capacity for
accommodating multiple strips of fasteners is desired, an extension
84 replaces the endcap 82. A main distinction between the
embodiments 10 and 80 is the latch mechanism, specifically the
construction of the endcap 82 and the extension 84, which each have
a tab 86 with a forward-opening, generally keyhole-shaped aperture
88. The aperture 88 is constructed and arranged for releasably
locked engagement with a latch button 90. A rear portion of the
housing 14 is provided with a slot (not shown) to accommodate the
tab 86 when the endcap 82 or the extension 86 is attached.
Referring to FIG. 8, the latch button 90 is similar in function to
the latch button 56, but distinct in construction. The button 90 is
generally axially aligned, with a finger pad 92 secured to a
narrowed neck 94. At a lower end, the neck 94 is connected to a
relatively larger diameter barrel portion 96 with at least one and
preferably two radially extending wing tabs 98, a radially
extending disk or other equivalent structure provided to retain the
button 90 in the housing 14. A biasing element 100, such as a
coiled spring or the like described above in relation to the
biasing element 58, is accommodated in the barrel 96 and biases the
latch button 90 to a locked position, holding either the endcap 82
or the extension 84 in place.
The narrow neck 94 is configured to slidingly engage a narrow
portion 102 of the keyhole aperture 88, and the barrel portion 96
is configured to slidingly engage a generally circular, larger
diameter portion 104 of the keyhole aperture. Thus, in the locked
position, the barrel portion 96 and the large diameter portion 104
are in engagement. To release either the endcap 82 or the extension
84, the latch button 90 is depressed against the biasing force of
the biasing element 100 to align the neck 94 with the narrow
portion 102 and permit release of the respective magazine housing
component in a rearward direction.
Referring now to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, an alternate embodiment of
the present tool 10 is generally designated 110. Components shared
with the embodiments 10 and 80 are designated with identical
reference numbers. The operation of the tool 110 is generally the
same as that of the tool 10, with the main distinction being the
manner in which the magazine is assembled upon the tool. As seen in
FIG. 11, a nosepiece 112 has at least one and preferably two
threaded sockets 114 formed therein, preferably by casting and
subsequent machining, however other fabrication techniques are
contemplated. Also, a main housing 116 has a mounting point 118
near the handle portion 16. A first magazine housing portion is
provided in the form of a half magazine 120 split along its length
and extending from the nosepiece 112 to the rear end 32. As shown,
the half magazine 120 has the capacity for at least a single strip
of fasteners. An inner wall 122 has a pair of laterally extending
corrugations 124 for slidably guiding and/or supporting fasteners
toward the nosepiece 112. Note that this part of the tool 110 lacks
the follower 28, the return spring 30, the follower handle 24, and
the fastener track 41.
Referring now to FIG. 11, a second magazine housing portion,
represented by a magazine half, is generally designated 130 and is
sized to accommodate at least a single strip of fasteners. Further,
the housing portion 130 is configured to engage the tool 110 to
align with the half magazine 120, providing a complementary half of
the magazine. Fastener eyelets 132, 134 respectively align with the
threaded socket(s) 114 and the mounting point 118 for securing the
housing portion 130 to the half magazine 120 using threaded
fasteners or the like. A set of two eyelets 132 is shown from the
inboard side of the housing portion 130 in FIG. 9. Once joined, at
the rear end 32 the portions 120, 130 form a fastener feed entry
slot 40 (FIG. 10). The portion 130 has a follower 28, a follower
return spring 136 (both shown hidden), and a follower handle 24.
Differences between the housing portion 130 and the first magazine
housing portion 36 (FIG. 1) include that the former contains the
follower 28, the follower handle 24 and the return spring 30,
whereas the housing portion 130 contains the follower 28, the
follower handle 24 and the return spring 136. Another difference is
that the first magazine housing portion 36 has a follower return
spring 30 capable of accommodating at least two strips of
fasteners, while the spring 136 in the portion 130 can only
accommodate a single strip of fasteners, as does the rest of the
portion.
Referring now to FIGS. 9, 11, 12 and 13, an extension portion for
the embodiment 110 is generally designated 140. The extension
portion 140 shares components with the second magazine housing
portion 130, which are designated with identical reference numbers.
A main difference between the extension portion 140 and the second
magazine housing portion 130 is that the former is dimensioned to
accommodate at least two strips of fasteners. A front end 142 of
the extension 140 is a complementary half to the half magazine 120
in the same manner of the portion 130, forming an assembled
magazine chamber. However, since a rear end 144 extends beyond the
rear end 32 of the tool 110, it includes an enclosed magazine
chamber 145 defining the fastener feed entry slot 40 (both shown
hidden). In other words, the rear end 144 includes both
complementary magazine halves (best seen in FIG. 13). Also, it will
be understood that the extension 140 includes its own follower 28,
follower handle 24, a follower return spring 146 which is of a
sufficient length to accommodate at least two strips of fasteners,
and a relatively long follower channel 147. The enclosed magazine
chamber 145 is in communication with the assembled chamber formed
by the attachment of the front end 142 to the half magazine
120.
It will be understood that both the housing portion 130 and the
extension 140 have a fastener track 41 for slidably receiving
fasteners fed in the entry slot 40. In addition, both the housing
portion 130 and the extension 140 include a generally "U"-shaped
clamping clip or bracket 79, 148 which slidably engages lower edges
of the complementary halves and holds them together. The clip 148
is of the same cross-sectional configuration as the clip 79, but is
longer. As seen in FIG. 14, inwardly projecting edges 150 engage
grooves 152 in the halves 120, 130, and 120, 140.
In the tool 110, when the user needs to change from a magazine
accommodating a single strip to a double strip application, he
removes the fasteners at points 114, 118 and slides the clip 79
rearward in the grooves 152. The second magazine housing portion
130, along with its return spring 30, follower 28 and follower
handle 24 is removed and replaced by the extension 140, being
assembled with a reverse procedure. As in all of the embodiments,
fasteners are fed through the entry slot 40.
Several advantages are offered by the present design. The
manufacturing and retail costs are reduced due to the lack of
component duplication. The user is offered the flexibility of a
variety of magazine capacities to suit various applications. Tool
and component storage requirements are also reduced, since the
present magazine extension is shorter than a supplemental multiple
strip capacity magazine or even a standard single strip capacity
magazine.
While specific embodiments of the present modular magazine for a
fastener driving tool have been shown and described, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and
modifications may be made thereto without departing from the
invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *